If you instantly cop the link between: Paddy White, Nora Fealey, Thomas ‘Harry’ Callaghan, Aisling O’Connell, Michelle Reidy, Emma Sweeney, Lezek Brozozka, Siobhán Daly, Sandra Hartnett-O’Connor and Michael ‘Trod’ Broderick – you’re well up on your history then.
The three-year history of Castleisland’s involvement with the countrywide, fundraising phenomena of Strictly Come Dancing – that is.
The Latest Installment
Castleisland’s latest installment, on Saturday night, engraved four names into the exclusive club records above and provided an evening of local entertainment which delighted those who witnessed it.
The judges crowned Aisling O’Connell and Thomas ‘Harry’ Callaghan the Castleisland 2017 Strictly Come Dancing Champions at a packed Castleisland Community Centre on Saturday night.
The popular vote, however, went to the all girl team of Emma Sweeney and Michelle Reidy.
Home grown Entertainment
“It was a fantastic night of home grown entertainment and fair play to all of the participants – they were brilliant,” said Desmonds spokesman and official videographer to the event, Gerard ‘Gerdie’ Murphy.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know how the judges separated the couples – there was some serious talent out there – but that’s their job I suppose,” said Gerdie.
“There was a great crowd at the centre and everyone went home entertained by all that went on – including some brilliant interval, acts,” he said.
A Joint Fundraiser
The event was a joint fundraiser between Scoil Muire Gan Smál Presentation Primary School and Castleisland Desmonds Ladies GAA Club.
Will it happen again. The dust will settle and the taking counted and decisions will be made over the coming months.
Some certainties emerge in the wake of events like this. This one in particular has been a really productive fundraiser for its hardworking organisers in its three year run to date.
The other glaring certainty is that there is an ‘abun-dance’ of talent within the confines of this and neighbouring parishes.
Tops-of-the Town Revival
Signs on I spoke with two men in the course of the past week who are convinced that the coming autumn / winter could and should see moves towards the revival of the latent Tops-of the-Town culture. They feel the time is right for such a move now.
The centre which housed Saturday night’s extravaganza of community spirit, talent and entertainment was built by a previous generation of ‘Islanders’ out of a spirit of generosity perseverance and talent – throw in a barrel or two of laughs and maybe a barrel or two of ……you know yourself.
But they did it and, in the light of the most recent events, boxing, dancing, singing, they still do.
Those Who Gave their Time:
The dancing partnerships, made up of the people who gave their time to this project for the last couple of months are as follows: Tommy Martin and Carmel Kelly; Breda Reidy and Philip O’Connell; Francie Brosnan and Catriona O’Connell; Aisling O’Connell and Thomas Callaghan; Amy Reidy and Seán O’Connell; Mairead O’Connell and Oliver Falvey;
Glyn Cronin and Aisling O’Leary; Miriam Leane and Aidan O’Callaghan; Anne Curtin and Neil Browne; Nuala O’Connor and Shane O’Leary; Fiona Nelligan-McGuire and Aaron Nolan; Emma Sweeney and Michelle Reidy; Denise Bourke and Gerard Reidy.
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